Line blind construction



Jan. 5, 1954 L. s. HAMER LINE BLIND CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March l, 1948 Jan. 5, 1954 L. s. HAMER 2,664,918

LINE BLIND CONSTRUCTION Filed March l, 1948 A 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 j@ /Igd D 6 2 lA wl "Q- f4- sa 69 Ja D 7a r6 J I ,-62 B f' /9 J? Y U VVE/vra@ INA/Vo S. /7/,4 MER Jan. 5, 1954 l.. s. HAMER 2,664,918

LINE BLIND CONSTRUCTION Filed March l, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5.

MMM

Patented Jan. 5, 1954 LINE BLIND CONSTRUCTION Leland S. Hamer, Long Beach, Calif., assignor of one-fourth to Iaul A. Dewhirst, Los Angeles,

Calif.

Application March 1, 1948, Serial No. 12,457

1 Claim.

This invention is concerned with features of construction in a line blind or now control iitting and it is a general object of the invention to provide various improved simplified and eective constructions for such ttings.

Line blinds or blinding devices are used extensively in various situations but mainly where it is desired to eifect full or positive shut-oil' such as is diicult, if not impossible, to obtain with an ordinary valve. Such line blinds are frequently installed in situations where it is necessary or desirable that they be operable from a point somewhat offset or removed from the tting itself and they are often used where pressures are high and they are of such size that the stresses and strains set up in them tend to deflect or distort essential parts of the structure. In the case of a large structure under high preseures the distortion or flexure may be such as to shift or deflect the pipe line sections to which the structure is connected and when this occurs other equipment in the line may be affected.

- It is a general object of the present invention to provide a line blind construction wherein telescoping sections clamp a plate and are shifted relative to each other by a screw member operated by means of a gear provided with an operating stem that projects a substantial distance from the sections and which may be such as to project to any desired point relative to the sections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical, improved general arrangement of parts in a fitting of the general character referred to whereby the structure is simple of manufacture and is easily assembled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure of the general character referred to `wherein an annular member is engaged between the telescoping sections that clamp the plate and has threaded engagement with one section and is rotatably engaged with the other section through anti-friction means, all with the result that the structure is compact, simple, and easily operated.

Another object of the present invention is to (Cl. 13S-94.3)

ing or .deflection of the body under working conditions.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a iitting embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a top or plan View of the structure taken on line 2--2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the structure taken on line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the structure being a view taken as indicated by line 4 4 on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detailed view taken as indicated by line 5--5 on Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional View of another form of construction. Fig. 7 is a plan view taken as indicated by line 'l-l on Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 8 8 on Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 is a detailed view of the structure used to prevent relative rotation between the body and clamp sections employed in the construction shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive.

The structure provided by the present invention is such that it may be embodied in various forms and for purpose of example two typical embodiments are herewith set forth. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings a form of construction is disclosed wherein coupling means or pipe connections at the ends of the body sections are shown in the form of flanges, while the operating stem is shown projecting tangentially from the body y l structure and is horizontally disposed to extend from one side of the structure. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, the coupling or connecting means at the outer ends of the body sections are shown such as to have pipes joined thereto by welding and the operating member or stem projects tangentially from the body and upwardly therefrom rather than to one side thereof.

Referring to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, the structure involves, generally, two telescopically related sections, one of which I will refer to as a body section A and the other a clamp section B. A plate C is carried by and engaged between the sections A and B and a means D is provided for operating the sections A and B relative to each other. The structure includes actuating means E for the means D and connecting means F at the outer ends of the sections A and B for making connection with pipes,

or the like. In accordance with the present invention ties G extend between and couple the connecting means F on the outer end of body section A with the middle portion of body section A to extend between opposite sides of the passage provided in body section A for passing the plate C into and out of operating position.

The body section A is preferably a unitary part, for example, a casting, and in the preferred form of the invention it involves, generally, a main part with a well portion I forming or providing a transversely disposed plate receiving chamber II and an upwardly opening passage I2 com; municating with the chamber II for passing the plate C into and out of operating position. The

outer end portion I3 of body section A joins to" and projects outward from one side of the well portion I0 and carries the means F that occurs at the outer end o f section A.

In the particular case illustrated the means F at the outer end of section A is a ange I4 formed on or joined to the end portion I3. The flange is preferably such as to make a standard flange connection with a pipe, Aor the like, and it is provided with a plurality of bolt openings I5 in the manner common to connecting fianges of this character.

At the other or inner side of the well portion I0 the main part of the bo'dy has a tubular middle portion I5 considerably larger in diameter than the end portion I3 andprovided with a round opening or bore I I that slidably passes the inner end portion vI8 of the section B. The opening is preferably roundand concentric with the opening I9 that occurs through the flange I4 and end portion I3 of the body. An enlarged opening or counterbore 2U enters the body A from its inner end portion 2l and carries or accommodates the means D, as will be hereinafter described. In the particular form of construction illustrated 'an enlarged portion or flange 22 on the clamp section B is Islidably engaged in the inner end portion 2| 'of body A and a sealing ring 23 engages between these parts. r

A The well portion I0 of 'body' A de'finesor 'forms the chamber II into which the plate C may be entered, as shown throughout the drawingsand fa vertical extension 24 of the well portion defines the upwardly opening vpassage lbthrough which the plate is admitted into the chamber I I. AIt will be ob'seri'fedy from the drawings that the chamber I I is of limited extent axiallybf the structure, being only wide enough to `readily acconodate the plate which is a thin member, but it is of considerableeiitent transverse of the structure to accommodate the plate so that marginal portions thereof `are located to be clamped between the wall 26 of therchamber II and the end 21 of the clamp section B.

The passage I2 through which the plate is entered into the chamber II is likewise narrow or of limited extent axially but is Wide or of substantial extent transversely of the structure in order tomadequately accommodate or pass the plate. The extension 24 of the body portion I0 thatdefinesvthe passage II has vertical sides 30 which are fiat and extend transversely of the structure, and it has vertical ends 3| vwhich join or extend between the vertical edges of the sides 30.

In accordance with my invention the structure above described is provided with ties G that join the fiange I4 of means F with the body at a substantial distance inward of the ang'e and preferably at the middle portion I6 of the body,

although it may in some instances be practical to join the ties merely to the extension 30 of the well portion of the body.

In practice I employ two ties G, one joined to each end portion of the well extension 24 and extending to andwjoined with the middle portion I6 of body A. Each tie is preferably an elongate bar-like part 33 and has its outer end integrally joined with the flange I4 while its inner end is integrally joined with the part 24 of the body portion I6. In the particular case illustrated the bar-like parts 33 forming the ties are joined to the pper ends or 'edges of the ends 3l of portion 24 and are' spaced far enough apart hori zontally, as shown in Fig. 2, so that they do not in any way interfere with free passage of the plate into and out of the chamber II. By extending v'the bars 33 from the nange I4 to the middle portion of the body A or to a part of Vthe body 1A at the side of passage I2 remote `from the flange' I4, the flange at the portion or region opposite the passage I2 is tied or anchored to the middle portion of the body so that pressure that would otherwise tend to spread the passage is r'esisted and, in practice, little or no spreading or deflection occurs in the body, that is, of the flange relative to the middle portion of the body.

The clamp section B has a main or middle p0rtion 36 that carries the flange 22 and which extends through the conterboe 2U with substantial clearance so that the inner end portion I8 of section B which is joined to and is a continuation of the portion 36 enters the opening I'I. In the preferred form of the invention a sealing ring 31 is provided between the body and the clamp sectionl B Where the end portion I8 'passes through or enters the opening I'I. The Iouter end portion 38 of the clamp section B lprojects beyond the inner end portion 2| of section A and it carries a unit of vconnectingmeans F which in this case is a liiange I4 suitable for making a flanged connection with a'pipe, or the like. -It is to be observed that the flange lI 4 is located far enough away from the flange 22Y to enable nuts to be introduced between the flanges in the course of connecting the structure with a pipe nang'e.

The plate C Inay, in 'accordance with my present invention,lbe of any suitable forni or type. In the drawings I have shown a plate 'siich as is commonly used in ttings of this general character. The plate has two ,ends or plate portions, one a solid end 40 which completely closes of! flow through the fitting when it is in operating position, and the other an apertured end 4I which 'in no Way interferes with flow through the flttin'g when in operating position. The ends V4I) and 4I of the plate are joined by a suitable neck or connection 43. I

In practice it is desirable to provide means for sealing the ends of the plate between the `sec'- tions A and B. In the case illustrated annular packing rings 44 are provided 'for this purpose, the rings being shown carried in annular 'grooves 45 in the opposite sides of theplate portions '4l and 4I so that they engage at faces -zs 'and '21 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

In the preferred construction a drain'openfn'g 46 is provided inthe lowerinost part of the well portion I0 and in practice the opening is nornally closed by a removable plug 41.

The means D provided for 4operating the 'sections A and B relatiye to each other serves to move the sections relative to each vother' in an axial direction or longitudinally of the structure so that the ends or faces 26 and 21 are moved into fclamping engagement with the plate'or are sepa-- rated therefrom, freeing the plate for removal or operation through the passage |2.k I l 'I'he means D is'preferably a screwfmeans and in the form of the invention illustrated it involves an annular member 50 surroundingthe main or middle portion 36 of section B and con- Vfined in the counterbore 20 provided in section A. The member 50 has threaded engagement with the exterior of the portion' 36, there being threads on the exterior oi.' part 36 meshing with threads 52 on the interior of member 5l. The'member 50 is rotatable within the-counter- -bore and is confined in the counterbore against axial movement therein but is free to rotate. In

the preferred form of the invention, as shown in the drawings, a plurality of rows of balls 53 is engaged between the counterbore and the exterior of the member 50, being carried in suitably shaped grooves 54 provided in these parts. The

-balls which may be introduced into operating -position through side openings 55 in the body section A effectively support the member v within the counterbore so that it is free ltofrotate but is positively held against axial movement. the case illustrated the opening is` normally closed by a plug 56- which may be held in positionbyakey51.

'Ihe actuating means E provided for operating or turning the member 50 is characterized by an 9 .rotatably support the stem 60 so that the stem is disposed tangentially of the structure. The gear member 6| isshown as a-worm gear iixed on the inner end portion of the stem 6|! to have proper driving engagement with the teeth 62 on the member 50. In the particular case illustrated the bearing 64 is mounted directly in boss 63 whereas bearing 65 is mounted in the end portion 66 of a tubular extension 61. The end portion 66 is threaded into an opening 68 in the boss 63 and the outer end portion 69 of the extension may extend or project any suitable distance from the body section A. The stem 60 may extend any suitable distance from the parts above described, it being preferred that it be extended to project from the extension 61 so that it can be conveniently operated by any suitable l means. In the case illustrated an operating member is shown mounted on the outer end of stem 60, which member involves or includes a plurality of projecting arms or spokes 10 that can be readily engaged by the person operating the device. In the drawings I have shown the inner end portion 66 locked or set in the boss by a set screw 1| and I have shown packing means 12 provided between 'the stem and the extension 61 to prevent leakage between these parts.

The boss 63 is preferably provided with a lubricant fitting 14 through which lubricant can be admitted into the interior of the boss where the gear 6| occurs and since the interior of the boss is in communication with the bore 20 lubricant introduced through the fitting 1| lubricates the various working parts including the thread parts 5| and 52 and the balls 53. The sealing rings 23 and 31 prevent leakage of lubricant from the area just referred to.

In accordance with the presentinvention a. suitable means is provided for locking orr keying the sections A and B together so that they are free to move lengthwise relative to eachother but do not turn or rotate relative to each other. In the particular case yillustrated a yprojection is provided onor secured to the inner end portion 2| of the body section A to engage between spacedlugs 8| on the flange 22 of clamp section B. The projection 80 and lugs 8| cooperate to positively check or hold the `sections A and B against relative rotation while allowing free movement lengthwise under the action of the means D. It is believed from the foregoing description that the operation of the structure described will be fully understood. Assuming the ange |4 of the means F to be coupled to pipe ilanges or the like, the structure is included in the pipe line as a fixture or fitting. With the clamp section B in a released position either end of plate C can be positioned in the chamber followingv which means E may be operated by turning the stem 60 to advance the clamp section B toward the plate until the plate has been clamped tight between the faces 26 and 21.- It is to be noted that in the particular case above described the stem 60 projects horizontally from theviitting so that the structure can be operated from one' side thereof. However, it will be ,apparent that the structure may be made with the stem projecting in any desired direction'and in the form of the invention about to be described it--is )shown projectingvertically. It will be Inoted that through the worm gear 6| engaged with the teeth 62 a substantial leverage is gained over the member 50, which mechanical advantage is increased through the threads 5| and 52 with the result that the stem 60 has a very great lever,- age or mechanical advantage over the member 50, making it possible with little effort to clamp the section B against the plate C with great force, with the result that the structure may be set to withstand very high pressures. By joining the middle portion of the body section A with the ilange I4 on the projecting end portion |3 spreading or springing of the section where the passage I2 occurs is eliminated or minimized making it possible to provide a large tting and one that will effectively withstand high pressures.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, the body section A is similar. generally, to the body section above described and the clamp section B' is substantially the same as the clamp section rst described. In this form of the invention, however, the outer or projecting end portion I3 of section A', instead of carrying a flange 4 forming means F, is provided with a beveled part I4' for the reception of welding, so that this part of the body may be joined to a pipe or the like by welding.

The body section A denes a plate chamber for the reception of plate C and there is a body extension 24 projecting laterally and dening a, plate passage |2. The tie means G in this form of the invention instead of extending from the middle portion of the body to a flange at the outer end of the body is in the nature of a reinforcing rib 33 occurring between the extension 24' and the exterior or outer portion of the part |3. The ribs 33' which may be of suitable weight and number, effectively brace and reinforce the body portions I3' and 24' and in this form of the invention the ends 3| of the projection 24' are preferably made heavy and 7 lire, in effect, continuatio'xis `of the reinforcements 3l.

`The-means D in this form `of the invention includes a member B threaded to the exterior ofth'e'cla'mp section B and mounted for rotation vih the body section A by vmeans of 'rows of-ball's I3.

The means E provided for operating the member 50 includes a stem 80 supported in aboss Biend operating agear 6I whichineshes with anddrives the member 5u. -In this form'of the invention the boss 63 is so'located as to support the's'tein 69' so that'the stem is 'tangential of the boss and projects vertically therefrom. In this `formof the invention the extension 61' is shown considerably longer than the extension in the case first described, with the result that the stem i0' is longer than the stem first described and projects a substantial distance above the body. In this form of the inventions. lubricant fitting 1l is shown carried at the outer end portion vof the extension 6l so that lubricant is provided at-the bearing 90 atthe outer end of the Vextension, which bearing supports the outer end por tionof the stein 60. A suitable lubricant fitting 'Si' is provided onthe exterior of the body portion i8 so that lubricant may be admitted into the portion of the body carrying the member 5D' in orderV to lubricate the balls 53', the threads between the member 80 and the clamp member, andthe geari' Aand the teeth engaged thereby.

The structure shown in Figs. 1 to 8 may be substantially the same as the structure rst described in all particulars other than those noted, and from the foregoing description itv will be apparent that the last described form ofthe invention operates substantially the same as that first described.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details hereinfset forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modiiicetions that mayappeer to those skilled in .the art and fall within vthe scope ofthe following claim.

Having described my invention, I claim:

A ntting of lthecheiracter described including, l tubular body having a main portion defining a'platechamber transverse of .thebody and an elongate radially disposed access passage communieating with the chamber and extending vto the exterior Yof the -body and having en outer -end portion forconnection with a pipe, a plate inthe chamber. a-clamp enteredin the inner end of the body to engage the plate and slidably supported in the body, -screw means operating the clamp `relative lto rthe body including an annular member located entirely within the body and threaded onto the clamp and having Ygear teeth on its `exterior intermediate `its end portions, two antifriction bearing meansl spaced apartat the exterior-of the member and located at'opposite end portions thereof and supporting the member in the body for rotation relative thereto,\and means operating vthe said member `and-including, an'operating Astem carried by the body ia project-therefromfand la gear on the stem operating said member and engaging the teeth on vthe-said member, the stem being tangential -to a circle concentric with the body.V

mmm) s. KAMER.

References Cited inthe Tile of this'patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 

